Softball: BU plows through Nor’Easter Invitational

By: Matthew Doherty

The Boston University softball team wasn’t supposed to play this weekend; but they are certainly glad they did.

After an impending snowstorm ravaged the team’s original plan of hosting Maine in the home opener on Saturday, head coach Ashley Waters spent Thursday devising a plan for the Terriers to participate in its final non-conference weekend series.

BU and four other teams impulsively joined the unofficial “Nor’Easter Invitational” in Hartford, and the Terriers took advantage of the opportunity.

In dominating fashion, BU won all six games of the round-robin tournament and extended its winning streak to eight games.

On Friday, the Terriers swept a double-header against the host school, Hartford University. BU won the first game, 10-5, fueled by a four-run first inning.

Centerfielder Jilee Schanda went 2-4 with 2 RBIs and DH Alexa Ponce drove in three runs. Freshman Ali Dubois picked up her team-leading sixth victory of the season. She allowed four runs in five innings and struck out seven.

In Game 2, the Terriers scored the go-ahead runs in the 8th inning to knock off Hartford, 8-6 in extras. Leadoff-hitter Brittany Younan sparked the offensive output with a 4-4 afternoon with four runs scored and three RBIs. The senior laid down a bunt in the 8th inning which scored Emily Morrow and gave BU a 7-6 advantage. Alex Heinen, who recorded three hits, added the insurance run on a sacrifice-fly.

Sophomore Kali Magane was the hero on the mound. The right-hander pitched four innings of relief and earned her second victory. She allowed just one run and struck out six.

On Saturday, the Terriers rolled through competition with a pair of slaughter-rule wins. In the early game, they defeated Iona, 8-0, in five innings. Dubois was sensational in the circle, allowing just one hit in the shutout effort.

On the offensive side, BU scored five runs in the second inning to break the game open. Senior Emma Wong had two hits and three-hitter Madi Killebrew drove in three runs.

In the second game Saturday, the Terriers rode its offense and dominant pitching yet again, dispatching Bryant, 10-1, in five innings.

Dubois picked up her second win of the day and seventh of the season with a four inning, one-run performance. For the day on Saturday, she totaled nine innings, allowing just four hits, one run, one walk, and struck out ten.

The Terriers received production up and down the lineup as well. Heinen, the two-hitter, had two hits and scored two runs and senior Kaitlin Sahlinger had two hits and drove in three runs out of the eight-hole.

BU wrapped up the impressive weekend on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Iona in nine innings and a 6-2 win against Central Connecticut State.

Once again, freshman ace Ali Dubois earned both victories. She hurled a complete game vs. CCSU with eight strikeouts. Younan and Schanda each recorded three hits in the game. BU scored all of its runs in the first three innings.

BU is now 16-14 on the season and 8-2 since returning from their California trip. The Terriers will face off against rival Boston College on Wednesday in Chestnut Hill before beginning Patriot League play next Saturday at Army.